Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe: A Novel

Written by Heather Webber

Narrated by Bethany Lind, Nicholas Techosky and Stephanie Willis

"Listeners will be transported to the small Southern town of Wicklow by the drawls and laid-back pacing of the narrators...This is a beautiful story of family, love, and forgiveness." - AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner

Heather Webber's Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a captivating blend of magical realism, heartwarming romance, and small-town Southern charm.

Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.

It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother’s estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father’s side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago, and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can’t stop talking about.

As the truth about her past slowly becomes clear, Anna Kate will need to decide if this lone blackbird will finally be able to take her broken wings and fly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jul 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781250222459

Heather Webber

HEATHER WEBBER is the national bestselling author of more than thirty novels--including Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, the Lucy Valentine novels, and the Nina Quinn Mysteries--and has been twice nominated for an Agatha Award. She loves to spend time with her family, read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, watch cooking competition and home improvement shows, and bake. Heather lives in southwestern Ohio and is hard at work on her next book.

Reviews for Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe

[Madelyn Dorta Schaummann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is like coming home from a long trip, getting your favorite take out, changing into your comfy clothes, and sitting down on the couch. It is exactly what you need.

Rural fantasy is a genre that I enjoy, it is often filled with sweet and corny messages of hope, life lessons, and sweets. Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is exactly that. A book that is filled with heartache, magic, trauma, loss, and the power to forgive yourself and others. I read Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is one sitting, I held it to my chest when I finished it. I called my mother right after...just to talk.

I won't forget this sweet and thoughtful book.

[Sarah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had bought this book for a friend, and decided to give it a try myself to see if it was any good; and, I have to say, I really loved this book. It had the perfect mix of whimsy, small-town lure, and relatable characters and circumstances. This story perfectly weaved together a tragic past with a forgiving present, along with a hope for the future. I found myself laughing at the southern drama, tearing up at the emotional struggles, and being wondrously drawn in by the blackbird lore. While I normally stay away from books that deal with tragedy and heartache, this story was somehow comforting, despite including quite a lot of both. Definitely worth a listen/read!

[Katrina Vinluan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just decided to write a review of this lovely book, more than a year after reading it. This got me through the "first round" of the pandemic. The rich imagery was engaging; I couldn't help but want to bake zucchini breads, and blackberry pies. The magical realism element was subtle and believable. I'm not so much a fan of "too much suspension of disbelief," and this one is just right. Some fresh element of magical tradition, woven into elements of finding one's path and history, restoring family relationships, and hopeful beginnings in love and personal calling. Even non-magic realism fans would love this because the characters, even the supporting ones, were so fleshed out and convincing, you'd want to meet them in person. The small town vibe, and the details of the cafe, and the unsolved mystery about the MC's father, justs transports the reader to a place that feels like a countryside vacation, with gossip and drama anyone would want to be part of. I'm not sure I'd read it as fast as I would on paper, though. The audio narrator kept me hungry for the next scene, and the next serving of the blackberry pie.

[Sheila Mathews · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is spectacular! I fell in love with every character and was so sad to see the story end! The magic is real!

[Melissa Dunn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very charming, feel good, southern based novel. Loved the story line and the narrators did a fantastic job in the audible version.

[Pauline · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this magical land of birds omg and pie! Anfaboulous read!

[Heidi Piper-Ward · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just a lovely listen. Rich imagery and a great story.

[Tina Anderson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book, it kept me interested. I felt like I was learning things about myself as I was listening.

[Michelle Vick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kept me interested until the very end. It has a magical feel to it but is very realistic if that's not your thing.

[Evelyn L Hutchinson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story is very warm hearted. The characters well developed and believable.

[Tammy Low · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the narration!! She was very easy to listen to and very entertaining!

[Lynn Hall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved all the characters and also the whimsical blackbirds and their role in connecting souls

[chris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The characters really come to life in this one. The author is one of my new favorites.

[liza · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A nice little book. Enjoyed the beautiful setting and characters .

[Janvier Schutz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was well written and a most enjoyable read

[becca dooley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this. Such a cute story. I want another book, so we can keep up with the characters.

[Mary Meehan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loving relationships between characters and sense of fantasy and magic made this a lovely story.

[ChristineAnitaYelichRoberts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful and so fresh. I loved the characters and how all of their stories and lives intertwined together. The narration was perfect. I am sorry to have it end. I will be missing Ana Kate and Natalie for awhile.